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Frequently Asked Periodontal Questions – Louisville, KY

Learning More About Gum Health and Dental Implants

Most people are already familiar with traditional dental care, but you’ll probably have a few questions when it comes to periodontal and dental implant therapy or surgery. Dr. Cordini always loves taking the time to answer every patient’s questions, but if you’d like to save some time, you can read below to find the answers to some of the questions that we’ve heard most frequently from the many patients who have visited our periodontal office over the years.

How Do I Know if I Have Periodontal Disease?

The early signs of gum disease are often so mild that you might miss them, but it’s not uncommon to experience swollen gums as well as bleeding while brushing or flossing. As the condition becomes more advanced, your teeth might appear longer or become loose, or spaces might start to form between them.

What is My Risk for Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is linked to tobacco products, poor oral hygiene, health conditions such as diabetes, and familial history. However, everyone has a chance of developing gum disease even if they’re in overall good health and practice the right hygiene habits. That’s why regular dental checkups are so important for identifying the problem early on.

How Can My Gum Disease Be Treated?

We offer a number of solutions for gum disease depending on how severe it is. Scaling and root planing lets us remove the plaque and tartar that has built up under your gum line. We can also repair the damage done by gum disease through gum grafting – replacing the tissue that has been lost. Other services might also be recommended depending on your needs.

Do I Need a Bone Graft Before Getting Dental Implants?

It depends. If you’re getting implants immediately after a tooth extraction, then the underlying bone might still be intact enough to support the posts. You’re more likely to need a bone graft if your teeth have been missing for a long time, giving the underlying bone time to start breaking down.

How Long Do I Need to Wait to Restore My Dental Implants?

It varies from person to person. Your mouth needs to be completely finished healing around the dental implant post, and the bone needs to have fully integrated with the metal. The entire process can take several months, with the exact amount of time depending on your body’s healing capabilities.

How Many Implants Will I Need?

A single implant is enough to replace a single tooth. Two implants can support a bridge in order to replace three or more teeth in a row. Dentures can be supported by as little as four implants posts, and they usually don’t require more than eight. We’ll always use the most conservative number of implants possible.